For the second match running, Yeovil Town were slow out of the starting blocks and let in an early goal that left them chasing the game from the outset. Once again, a spirited second half performance salvaged some pride, but this time there was no last minute point saver, as the Glovers succumbed to their first league away defeat in ten months against a well-organised Barnet side that just about deserved their victory.

Gary Johnson made just one change to Saturday's starting line-up as Abdoulai Demba made his full debut for the Glovers, replacing broken leg victim Adam Stansfield. Yeovil started brightly, with Adam Lockwood coming close early on when he picked up a lose ball from a corner, with the shot going across the face of goal.

But the Glovers once again went behind to an early goal. Tom White was somewhat unlucky to be penalised for a foul on Ben Strevens on the edge of the area. With a cluster of Barnet players standing on the ball, the resulting Mark GOWER drive landed round the blind side of the wall and off the post and despite Chris Weale's scrambled efforts, into the net. Whether the wall was badly positioned or failed to break following a touch-off by David Hillier would no doubt be questioned by the coaching staff.

As the half progressed, few chances were created by either side. Even though Yeovil seemed to be enjoying most of the possession, a Barnet defence playing high up the field couldn't be penetrated without an offside flag being raised or the ball speeding down the hefty Underhill slope for a goal kick.

Barnet's runs, although far more rare, looked far more dangerous with Junior Agogo a constant threat, even if he seemed to lack anyone capable of partnering him up front to any great effect.

Finally, Yeovil managed to get behind the Barnet defence in the final 10 minutes of the half, and it was Abdoulai Demba who came close on both occasions. Firstly a lofted bouncing ball saw Demba lift the ball superbly over Lee Harrison and past the advancing keeper. But a frantic goal-line clearance by Leon Bell as Demba charged in to make sure saw Barnet escape with a corner. Then right on half time, a superb run by Michael McIndoe was met by the head of Demba. Once again he beat Harrison with his on target header, but an outstanding block by a Barnet defender saw another corner awarded.

The end of the half ws punctuated by some erratic refereeing, notably the bizarre decision to allow Mark Gower five minutes worth of on-the-pitch treatment to a head cut, despite the Barnet player being perfectly capable of leaving the field under his own steam. The unnecessary stoppage was amplified when after the treatment had been completed, Mr Perkin insisted that Gower left the field, leaving both sets of supporters barracking the official.

Half Time: Barnet 1 Yeovil Town 0

Yeovil stepped out onto the field a good five minutes before their hosts did, and again started the more lively of the two teams, with Demba flicking wide a Darren Way cross. But like the first half, Yeovil were caught sleeping from a dead ball situation just minutes into the half. A long free kick down the slope was misjudged by an advancing Chris Weale, who saw the ball sail over his head. Mark Gower somehow kept the ball in play, and Ben STREVENS took advantage of the static Yeovil defence to head into an empty net.

Yeovil heads went down a little at this soft goal, and Gary Johnson tried to liven things up a little by replacing Tom White with Carl Alford as Yeovil switched to a 3-5-2 formation. Barnet still had chances to extend their lead - a 25 yarder went wide of the post, Gower had another free header go wide, and Michael McIndoe was a touch fortunate to have the touch of his hand on the ball in his own penalty area go unpunished.

But with Andy Lindegaard replacing an out of sorts Nick Crittenden, Yeovil began to liven their game up, and Lee Johnson lit the touchpaper with a rasping long range drive that was deflected for a corner. From the set piece, a Carl Alford diving header was mis-cued across the face of goal when he should have got it on target.

Ultimately, Yeovil got some reward, and it came after Lee JOHNSON went on a run across the face of the penalty box and was tripped. Stepping up and taking the free kick, he opted for power, and smacked a shot straight down the middle, beating Harrison for pace to put Yeovil back in the game at 2-1.

Now was the time for Barnet to batten down the hatches, and they made several substitutions as they elected to hold out for the single goal lead. Gavin Williams nearly put paid to that when he shot an effort over the bar after good work by McIndoe and Way, and minutes later Lindegaard repeated the same feat. But Barnet clung on without really being threatened by an on target shot and in the end just about deserved to grab all three points. For Yeovil the task is clear - they need to start playing in games before the half time break and they need to stop gifting the opposition head starts. Easier said than done though, and it looks like Gary Johnson will be another busy man on the training pitch this week.